Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 461: This is the man who destroyed Zhou
"kill!!"

Outside Tongwan City, shouts of killing shook the sky.

Liu Taozi was wearing armor and standing on a high platform. The sun was shining brightly and he was sweating profusely, but Liu Taozi did not move at all, as if he was a sculpture standing there.

This is a huge military fortress.

Along the flat land outside the southern official road outside the city, the Han army built a fortress that could accommodate more than 10,000 people.

Afterwards, Liu Taozi used the accompanying Shuozhou soldiers as the backbone, recruited a large number of local young and strong men, organized a new army, and trained day and night.

Tongwan City has now become a military center for the war against the Zhou Kingdom. More than hundreds of scouts travel in and out every day. The city gates are rarely closed, and the post stations outside are constantly changing personnel. Some small post stations have more than ten horses in reserve in order to deliver key messages.

Inside the city walls, the new recruits were divided into different formations and were receiving military training.

The officers were all working extremely hard, and the soldiers repeatedly lined up, marched, stopped, and retreated. These were the most basic contents, but they were practiced over and over again.

A group of people led their horses into the city wall. Riding horses was not allowed here. The leader handed the reins to others and then walked quickly towards the platform alone.

The person who came was Zu Ting.

Zu Ting always played different roles at different times. There were many types of counselors, those who were engaged in learning and culture, those who were involved in internal politics and local affairs, and those who went on military expeditions to offer advice. In simple terms, there were Shusun Tong, Xiao He, Zhang Liang, and possibly Han Xin. However, this type of counselors were generally regarded as military generals.

Zu Ting was the type who could hold multiple positions. He was capable of studying, handling domestic affairs, and was also good at following the army in battles and giving advice. He knew a little bit about everything.

He walked up the steps quickly and swiftly.

He walked up to the platform and hurriedly paid his respects to Liu Taozi.

"His Majesty!"

"What a happy event!"

"Oh?"

"Yuwen Yong will not live long!!"

Zu Ting took out a memorial and handed it to Liu Taozi. Liu Taozi took it and looked at it for a few seconds. There was a flash of surprise in his eyes, "Sun Simiao?"

Zu Ting was stunned. Isn't it a bit strange that Your Majesty is looking for this point?

"Your Majesty, have you ever heard of this man?"

"Yes, I heard that he is a good doctor. Send a message to Gao Lingjun and ask him to take care of him."

"only."

Zu Ting reminded again: "Your Majesty, the matter of Yuwen Yong."

"Does Grandpa think it's credible?"

"I think it's credible. The fugitive's identity is confirmed, and there is no reason for him to make up such a lie. Yuwen Yong is also a capable person. I didn't expect that he has such a hobby, taking elixirs. Good, he will ascend to heaven sooner, and the people of the world will suffer less from the war. Elixir! It's really an elixir!"

Zu Ting had an expression as if he was gloating over someone else's misfortune.

Liu Taozi asked: "Does our current strategy need to be changed?"

Zu Ting originally advised Liu Taozi that speed is of the essence in war and there should be no hesitation.

On the one hand, he requested that Gao Yanzong, Yao Xiong and Wang Lin be stationed in Henan to support each other and defend against Southern Chen.

Let General Hulugu stay in the north to guard against the Turks.

Later, a granary and an arsenal were set up in Tongwan City, a fortress and a training ground were built, new soldiers were trained, and grain supplies from Bing, Shuo, Heng and other states were used to enrich Xiazhou.

He gathered many generals including Gao Changgong, Hulu Xian, Kou Liu, Zhang Heizu, Tuxi Yue, Pi Jinghe, Poluo Ku, Liu Chengcai, etc., and led the troops to Xia. Then he made Liu Taozi the commander-in-chief, with an army of 130,000, claiming to have 300,000, and divided the troops into three routes. They sent out at the same time and attacked the Zhou army fiercely, not giving it a chance to breathe, and destroyed it in one fell swoop.

In fact, there are quite a few opponents to Zu Ting’s strategy.

Many ministers felt that, given the current situation, it would be safest to slowly erode Guanzhong and force the Zhou army back to Bashu, allowing the Han to occupy the Central Plains. They could then keep a low profile, manage internal affairs, train the army, and then attack with a large army five years later.

But Zu Ting insisted on doing so. He felt that destroying Zhou would be quicker than destroying Chen.

When destroying the State of Chen in the future, we can adopt this strategy, accumulate strength, and use national power to crush it.

But this cannot be done to the Zhou State.

Once the Zhou Kingdom gained a foothold in Bashu, the gap in national strength would reach an exaggerated level. It would not be easy to take it down, and the losses would be extremely heavy.

Liu Taozi certainly still agreed with Zu Ting's strategy. After all, over the years, Liu Taozi basically relied on Zu Ting's strategy to complete the great task of replacing Qi and marching into Guanzhong.

Zu Ting heard Liu Taozi's question, but shook his head.

“No need to change.”

“This move is even more beneficial to us.”

"We must attack Zhou quickly and plan for Chen slowly. This strategy cannot be changed. If Yuwen Yong dies, we will be able to do more."

"Yuwen Xian is a man of talent, but he is not fit to be a king."

"Yuwen Xian has strategies and tactics, is good at pacifying and controlling people, knows how to appoint the right people, and is always at the forefront of the enemy's battles. How can you say that he does not have the talent to be a king?"

"He who has no ambition, little courage, and lacks judgment is a talent for a general or a chancellor, but not a talent for a king."

"A man like Yuwen Yong may not be as good as Yuwen Xian in terms of warfare, governance, and judging people. Yuwen Xian's trusted followers are all mediocre, but Yuwen Xian is still not as good as his brother. Yuwen Yong is decisive, forbearing, able to kill, and has a good understanding of the situation. He has the ambition to unify the country. Of course, he is not as good as Your Majesty."

As Zu Ting spoke, he did not forget to praise Liu Taozi.

Then, he continued to talk about Yuwen Xian, "Yuwen Xian could not reform and strengthen the country like his brother, nor could he check and balance his subordinates. Once Yuwen Yong died, his crown prince and his descendants were all captured, and Yuwen Xian would probably take the throne. However, given Yuwen Xian's character, once we sent the crown prince back, he would even assist the crown prince in taking the throne and would not take the throne himself. This is where he is not as good as Yuwen Yong."

"If Yuwen Yong could come to his senses and have Yuwen Xian's help, it would be very difficult for us to destroy the Zhou Kingdom. Now Yuwen Yong is dying, hahahaha, it can be said that God is helping me!"

Zu Ting looked at Liu Taozi and said, "Your Majesty, if Yuwen Yong is really dead, we can send the prince back."

"We can even select some captives and return with the prince."

"Our Han dynasty has always governed the country with loyalty and filial piety, and has educated the world with morality. How can his father not be allowed to remember him?"

"However, I have to meet the prince first to see what kind of person he is. If he is a decent person, I will keep him and let the other sons go. If he is not a decent person, I will send him back."

Liu Taozi then spoke up and said, "It's a bit unbearable."

"Your Majesty has seen him, but I have not."

"Yuwen Xian is a man of integrity and values ​​his reputation. If the crown prince returns, he will assist him and will never establish himself. However, the people under Yuwen Xian's command are all looking forward to working with him to build a career. How could they trust a little kid?"

"I predict that there will be internal strife. Even if there is no internal strife, or Yuwen Xian takes the throne himself, it will distract Yuwen Xian's thoughts and cause some unrest, which is beneficial to our strategy of quickly destroying Zhou."

"Finally, sending the prince back will lower the enemy's vigilance."

Zu Ting grinned, "They all think that the Han Kingdom has just gained so much territory and will not attack again in the short term. If we let them go at this time and tell them that we want to live in harmony, they will never think that we will attack with a large army."

Zu Ting's smile always seemed a little sinister.

Liu Taozi, however, agreed with this.

"Okay, let's do as Grandpa said."

The official road leading to Xiazhou has been repaired many times.

Thanks to the government's heavy investment in maintenance, Xiazhou's traffic problems were finally alleviated.

Nowadays, on the official road, there are endless queues of horse-drawn carriages coming and going.

The entire Han Kingdom was quietly preparing for this war, and a large amount of supplies were transported to Xiazhou. In name, these people went to Xiazhou to build a temporary palace there.

After all, it makes sense for Liu Taozi to have a palace while staying in Xiazhou.

The thieves on this road have long disappeared.

Among the many teams, a carriage escorted by cavalry stood out.

Crown Prince Yuwen Yun sat timidly in the car, the fear and helplessness in his eyes were so clear and pitiful.

Duke Xu Yuwenshan sat beside him, gently holding his hand and constantly comforting him.

"Your Highness, don't panic. I'm sure the thieves won't dare to harm you."

"Everyone is heading east, why am I the only one left?"

"Don't lie to me anymore. Could it be that my grandfather is sending troops and Liu Taozi wants to threaten me?"

Yuwen Yun expressed his guess, and Yuwen Shan immediately fell silent. "Your Highness, you really don't have to worry too much."

"Since we were captured, the Han army has been quite polite to us and has not humiliated us. If you meet the King of Han later, please do not be impulsive, do not take risks, and do not anger him."

Yuwen Yun took a deep breath and calmed himself down.

"I understand, don't worry."

Yuwen Shan nodded and looked at the prince with some pity. What a good child.

Yuwen Yong spent a lot of time and effort to teach his son, although his methods were a bit harsh, with whipping and beating him at every turn, and having people watch him and ask him about his studies and other matters every day. But such teaching was not without use. At least among his peers, Yuwen Yong performed quite well. He was smart, kind to others, and gentle and polite to his servants. Everyone felt that this kid would have a good chance of succeeding to the throne in the future.

Yuwen Yong was not very satisfied with him and put pressure on him every day to make him study harder and train harder.

The carriage traveled for an unknown amount of time before it gradually slowed down and stopped.

Yuwen Yun heard voices of conversation coming from outside.

He mustered up his courage and asked Yuwen Shan to take him out of the car.

As soon as I got off the carriage, I saw that it had stopped next to an inn. There were many soldiers around, hundreds of them, surrounding the place.

The officer who brought him here was talking to a kind-looking old scholar.

The old scholar's eyes passed the soldiers and fell on Yuwen Yun, and then he walked over quickly.

Then he was seen smiling and bowing towards Yuwen Yun.

"Zu Ting, a Han official, pays respect to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Yuwen Yun was somewhat touched. This was the first time someone had been so polite to him since he was captured. He even said "Greetings"! !
Yuwen Yun hurriedly stepped forward and helped the other person up.

"Grandpa, no need to be so polite."

Zu Ting then asked, "Did the soldiers have any trouble along the way?"

"No, no."

"That's good."

"Your Highness is wearing thin clothes, please go inside first."

Zu Ting brought Yuwen Yun into the inn and asked him to sit in the upper seat. When Yuwen Yun was about to sit down, Yuwen Shan hurriedly stopped him and gestured.

Yuwen Yun frowned and looked at Zu Ting, "Please take the seat, Grandpa."

Zu Ting suddenly laughed, "No problem, no problem. Your Highness the Crown Prince will be the ruler of a country in the future. I am just a subject. How can a subject sit above the ruler? Please take the seat, Your Highness."

Then, Yuwen Yun sat down directly.

Zu Ting greeted him warmly.

The topic was always initiated by Zu Ting, who gradually led the other party to talk about the past. Yuwen Yun also gradually let down his guard and chatted enthusiastically with Zu Ting.

From the conversation, Zu Ting learned about Yuwen Yong's strict education of him, and also heard some complaints about his father hidden in Yuwen Yun's words.

Zu Ting ordered someone to serve wine. Yuwen Yun drooled at the wine but still forced himself not to drink it.

At this moment, Yuwen Shan finally spoke and interrupted the conversation between the two guys.

"I wonder why the King of Han called us here?"

Yuwen Yun was a little unhappy. He had a good chat with Zu Ting. If they had a good relationship, he might suffer less in the future. What do you mean? Can't you see me doing well?

But he did not lose his temper, but Zu Ting could not tolerate it. He said angrily: "I am talking to His Highness, how can you have a say?"

"If it weren't for the Crown Prince, I would have dragged you out and killed you!"

Zu Ting's expression changed so quickly that even Yuwen Yun was startled. Yuwen Shan pursed his lips and was speechless for a long time.

Zu Ting realized that he had frightened the prince and hurriedly apologized. Yuwen Yun naturally expressed his understanding.

Gradually, Yuwen Yun also started to drink, and the two of them ate delicious food and began to exchange interests and hobbies.

Although Yuwen Yun was still very young, he had already developed interests and hobbies beyond ordinary people, such as wine, women, entertainment, good clothes, falcons, music, architecture, etc. The old and the young were like-minded.

Yuwen Shan was extremely angry. He looked at Zu Ting, who had a lewd look on his face and was teaching his prince how to distinguish the shape of a woman's buttocks through clothes, and he was furious.

What kind of people does this fucking Liu Taozi use? !

But before he could get angry, Zu Ting changed the subject.

"The king is going to send the prince back."

"Is the prince willing to return home?"

The wine cup in Yuwen Yun's hand fell suddenly to the ground.

Even though Yuwen Yun was not very happy in the Zhou Kingdom and was beaten by his grandfather every day, it was still better than being a prisoner!
Send yourself back?
Is this a test?

Yuwen Yun didn't know what to say for a moment.

Zu Ting continued, "Could it be that Your Highness is unwilling to go back?"

"No!"

Yuwen Yun immediately said: "If the king can send me back, I will be grateful and will certainly persuade my father not to attack each other and live in harmony."

Yuwen Yun talked in a long-winded way about the benefits of sending him back, and Zu Ting nodded with a smile.

"That's right."

"We don't want to continue fighting with the Zhou Kingdom. It would be a great thing if both sides could live in harmony."

"However, the war is not over yet. There are still wars in Chang'an and other places. We want to send the prince there now, but I'm afraid it won't be easy to wait until the war is settled. We will send the prince back to the country. Before that, I have to trouble Your Highness to stay in Tongwan City for a while."

"Good! Good!"

Yuwen Yun regained hope and said to Zu Ting carefully: "If I can go back, I will never forget the great kindness of my grandfather!!"

Zu Ting treated Yuwen Yun to some more food, and then had him taken to a mansion in the city.

Yuwen Yun and Yuwen Shan walked out of here, said goodbye to Zu Ting, and got on the car.

Sitting in the car, Yuwen Yun finally showed his inner excitement. He rubbed his hands nervously, "Are they really going to send me back? Is this true?"

Yuwen Shan frowned and said unhappily: "Your Highness, Zu Ting is a villain, absurd, and shameless. You should not trust him, let alone imitate him."

Yuwen Yun showed a sincere expression, "Why would I follow suit? I was just pretending to be nice to Zu Ting just now!"

"I am not a coward, but my mother, my relatives and friends are in the hands of the enemy. For them, how can I not bow my head? How can I not have a pleasant conversation with Zu Ting?"

After hearing the explanation, Yuwen Shan was speechless.

Zu Ting stood in the distance, watching the carriage leave, and then he laughed again.

The one who destroyed Zhou Dynasty is you!!

He immediately ordered someone to bring a horse and gallop towards the military camp where Liu Taozi was. Now, he could carry out the next plan.

"It can be sent back. It can definitely be sent back."

"This boy appears kind and timid on the outside, but he is vicious and cruel on the inside. He has no talent, only some sinister little tricks. He thinks he is very smart, is complacent, pretentious, likes fun, has little morality, is jealous of talented people, despises talented people, and has no loyalty or filial piety at all."

"This guy is perfect for dealing with someone like Yuwen Xian! Why didn't I find him earlier?!"

"How can one man like him be equal to an army of 100,000!!"

Zu Ting had a very high opinion of Yuwen Yun.

Liu Taozi was not surprised.

"Next, we can slowly send out troops to capture Guanzhong and other places, and then wait for new news from Yuwen Yong."

Liu Taozi suddenly asked, "I heard that the Chen people have already taken Jiangling. Now that the Chen lord has broken his promise, the number of merchants coming and going has decreased again, and the number of troops on the border has increased again. Are the Chen people preparing to turn against us?"

"Why is your majesty worried about the State of Chen?"

"If Wu Mingche were still here, he might be a hidden danger for us, but now, Your Majesty may not know that I often send people to inquire about the affairs of Jingbei. I feel that something big might happen soon."

(End of this chapter)